The Time of Our Lives

This Qantas Award-winning documentary follows a 32-strong "mob of veterans" (the oldest is 95) on a trip to London to unveil the New Zealand Memorial. The memorial in Hyde Park honours New Zealand's service in war alongside Britain. The ceremony took place on 11 November 2006; the attendees included Prime Ministers Helen Clark and Tony Blair, the Queen and musician Dave Dobbyn. For many of the elderly vets, it's effectively their second OE; they recall war stories and lost mates, flirt with journalists and endure airport drudgery. Tales of love, friendship and trauma abound in Gaylene Preston's documentary. 

She had a warm cheek.

– Veteran John Keefe enjoys his kiss from Prime Minister Helen Clark

Key Cast & Crew

Gaylene Preston

Director, Producer, Commentary Writer, Narrator, Additional Camera Operator

David Paul

Cinematographer

Tim Prebble

Sound Design

Chris Todd

Sound Design

Margaret Dagg

Research

Paul Sutorius

Editor